Sheet gauging device for slitting machines



y 26, 1932. J. M. HOTHERSALL 1,868,707

SHEET GAUGING DEVICE FOR -SLIT'IING MACHINES Filed Sept. 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 'HHHHHHIIHIIHIHIH INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 26, 1932- J. M. HOTHERSALL SHEET GAUGING DEVICE EOR SLITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO ax/w mil 44 BY www ATTORNEY y 1932- J. M. HOTHERSALL SHEET GAUG'ING DEVICE FOR SLITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 26, 1932- J. M. HOTHERSALL 1,868,707

I SHEET GAUGING DEVICE FOR SLITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I v INVENTOE ii 3 ATTORNEY Patented July 26, 1932 T UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN M. HOTHERSALL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR '10 AMERICAN COI- IPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,.A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY SHEET GiUGING DEVICE FOR SLITTING MACHINES Application filed September 26, 1929, Serial No. 395,273.

The present invention relates to slitting machines which are employed to cut sheet metal stock for use in can' bodies and the like and has more particular reference to a 5 device in a machine of this character for accurately gaugingor squaring up the sheets preparatory to their being fed through the slitting elements. a

The principal object of the present inven- 1 tion is the provision in a slitting machine of a gauging device moving with a sheet as it is being fed to the slitting elements, the device accurately positioning the sheet prior to its introduction into the slitting elements.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a gauging device for a slitting machine operating to square a sheet being fed to the slitting elements, such squaring action, relating to three gauge points 20 which may be made to correspond to certain points on a lithographed sheet which have previously been used in the printing of the sheet.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of gauging members operatingon a side of a sheet being fed into the slitting elements of a slitting machine, a side gauge being movable with the sheet while maintaining an exact relation to engaging edges carried by the feeding devices.

An important object of the invention is the provision I of continuously operating gauging devices moving in unison with a sheet being fed over the table of a slitting machine and into the slitting elements, this continuous movement insuring a more even and uniform gauging action.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of spaced side endless chains carrying gauging parts for operation on asheet being fed to the slitting elements one side chain "being adjustable relative to the other chain for operation on difierent width of sheets. v V

. A still further important object of the invention is the provision of gauging members comprising spaced chains for operating on the sidee'dges of a sheet being fed into the slitting elements, one of the chains carrying fixed gauge blocks and the other tive view of one of the chain carrying yielding fingers these cooperating to uniformly gauge sheets which may have untrue or angular side edges.

Numerous othersobjects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment therof.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the slitting ma chine, parts being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the slitting machine, parts being broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged prospective fragmentary view of one of the gauging chains showing one of the fixed blocks carried thereby.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig.1.

.F1g. 5 is a sectional detail taken substanshown in elevation.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 66 in Fig. 1, parts being broken away.

Fig. is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged prospecgauging chain's showlng one of the yielding fingers carried thereby.

The gauging device of the present invention is adapted to be used on a standard type of slitting machine and comprises broadly two endless chains operating over sprockets mounted on vertical shafts. K The inner run of each chain moves at the same rate of travel as the feeding devices for the sheet which in the present instance are endless chains operating over sprockets mounted on horizontal shafts. This construction insures a smooth even travel of-the sheet during the gauging or positioning of the same prior to its being fed into slitting rollers. v One of the gauging chains carries a fixed block which acts as a gauge point for-one side of the sheet.

The feeding chains carry or lugs, one lug of each-chain being engaged by the rear edge of the sheet, the two lugs tlally along the line 5-5 in Fig. 1, parts being spaced flights ed on legs and 14 bolted respectively to the oppos te thus constituting two gauging points. Each sheet that is fed through the machine of the present invention, therefore, is gauged at three points and these points may be made to correspond to the gauge points used in a standard lithographing press and lithographed sheets can thus be accurately fed through and out by the slitter.

Irrespective of the regularity or irregularity of the front and other side edges of the sheet, 'all sheets passing through the slit-' ter equipped with the improved gauging device of the present invention are gauged at the same three exact points. It is, therefore, immaterial as to whether the edges of the sheet are uniform, square or whether they are like any other sheet being fed.

The second gauging chain operating on the opposite side of the sheet carries yielding fingers which engage the side edge of the sheet opposite the fixed gauge point and yieldingly shift the sheet into its three-point gauge position. A standard type of slitter, shown in the drawings for [the purposes of illustration comprises a table 11 (Figs. 1 and 6) which is supported on upper side frames 12 mount- 13. -Frames 12 carry brackets 10 sides of the frames at the front end ofthe machine and form bearings for horizontal slitter shafts 15 and 16 which carry a plurality of slittingelements. These elements comprise slitting rollers 17 mounted on the shaft 15 and corresponding rollers 18 mounted on the shaft 16, the rollers 17 and 18 cooperating with each other to perform a cutting operation in the usual and preferred manner.

Shaft 16 may be extended at one side be yond the bearing 10 and may be rotated in any suitable manner. Shafts 15 and 16 are rotated in unison, to insure proper feeding and cutting action of their rollers 17 and 18, and for this purpose are respectively provided with mating spur gears 19 and 21 secured thereto.

Sheets 25 are fed over the surface of table 11 by a pair of spaced feed chains 26 (Figs. 1, 4 and 7) the upper run of each chain moving in a longitudinal slot 27. formed in the upper surface of the table 11.

Chains 26 may operate at one end over 'suitable idler sprockets which may be part of an independent machine or may be other: wise carried in any suitable manner. 7 Atthe forward end chains 26 operate over drive sprockets 28' (Figs. 4 and 7) mounted on a horizontalshaft 29 rotating in bearings 31 formed in the table 11. Shaft 29 carries a sprocket 32 which is positioned centrally of the table 11 and between the chains 26 and a drive chain 33 operating over this sprocket 32 passes at its lower run over a sprocket 34 sacuredto a horizontal shaft 35 rotating in ,pinned thereto.

along its slot 27, one of a number of spaced' .flights or lugs 40 carried thereby engages the rear edge of the sheet 25 and propels the same forward over the table 11. Irrespective of the regularity or irregularity of the rear edge of sheet 25 only two parts thereof contact with the lugs 40 on the chains 26 of the feeding device. a

To insure that the sheet 25 is moved back into full engagement with both lugs 40, the forward edge of the sheet strikes a resistance after it begins its travel over the surface of the table 11. This resistance is in the form of a roller 41,(Figs. 1, 4 and 5) which is loosely mounted on a pin 42 carried by a bifurcated arm 43 loosely mounted on a horizontal shaft 44 and which is held in proper lateral position on the shaft by collars 45 Shaft 44 is supported at its opposite ends in bearings 46 and 47 formed respectively in the brackets 10 and 14. Roller 41 normally rests by gravity in a slot 48 cut int-he surface of the table 11 (Fig. 5).

until its rear edge comes into contact with the 1 two lugs 40 of the feed chains 26. Further advancement of the sheet, then being positively carried forward over the table 11 by the feed chains 26, lifts the roller 41 and its arm 43 upwardly, the latter pivoting onshaft 44. Roller 41 thereafter rides on top of the ill) sheet as it passes toward the slitter cutters 17 and 18.

Simultaneously with the advancing of the sheet 25 over the table 11, the gauging devices also advance, moving with and along opposite sides of the sheet and at the same rate of travel. These gauging devices comprise an endless chain 51 (Figs. 1, 6 and?) operating over an idler sprocket 52 and a drive sprocket 53 mounted respectively ,on vertical shafts 54 and 55 journaled in bearings 56 (Fig. 2) ,and 57 (Fig. 7) formed in the frames 12. Shaft-55 carries a bevel gear 58 secured to the shaft beneath the bearing 57 and this gear meshes with a similar gear 59 mounted on the shaft 35, rotation of which thus causes movement of the chain 51. Chain 51 at its inner run moves alongside of an angle iron.

rotation of the drive sprocket 53 and proper 3) each formed as an integral part of one of the links of the chain 51. As sheet 25 is moved over the table and brought into engagement with the lugs 40 of chains 26 and with the lug 63 of chain 51, it is cen-' tered according to the desired three reference points previously referred to. These points are always located at the same respective position and insure the uniform ositioning of each sheet on the chains 26 1rrespect-ive of the shape or angularity of the other edges of the sheet.

The respective position of these three points does not vary as the sheet moves over the table by virtue of the fact that the feed chains 26 and the chain 51 are at all times moving at the same rate of travel.

Lugs 63 extend above and below the chain 51 (Figs. 1, 3 and 7) and move along a longitudinal slot 64 cut along one side of the upper surface of the table 11 and serving as a fixed guiding means for said lugs. This insures proper engagement of the edge of the sheet 25 against the lug 63 and the proper position of the lug at all points of its travel,

the lug being held to a fixed line of travel irrespective of any yielding of the chain.

During the moving of sheet 25 over the table 11 mechanism operates to shift the same laterally should it not properly engage the gauge member 63 carried by the chain 51. For this purpose there is provided a second gauge chain 71 (Figs. 1, 6 and 7) which operates over a sprocket 72 carried on an idler shaft 73 journaled in a bearing v7 1 extended downwardly from a supporting plate 75 carried on the table 11 at one side thereof. Plate 75 carries a pair of feathers 76 pinned to its under surface which extend into slots 77 formed .in the table. Plate 75 is adapted to be moved laterally of the table 11, the

- surface of the table on this side being .lowered as at 78 for this purpose. Plate 7 5'is held in adjusted position by bolts 79 extending through slots 81 formed in the plate and threaded into the table section 78 in vertical bores 82.

The opposite or forward end of chain 71 (Figs 1, 6' and 7) operates over a sprocket 83 mounted on a vertical drive shaft 84 journaled in a bearing 85 projected from the under surface of the plate 75. Bearings 74 and 85 project through slots 86 and 87 cut through the table part 78, these openin permitting free lateral movement of plate i and its bearings 74k and 85 as this organization.

. forward or rear edge.

The gauging device just described is adaptis shifted back and forth.

Shaft-84 (Figs. 6 and 7 carries a bevel gear 88 which mesheswith a similar gearwidths of sheets 25. The slots 79 in the plate 75 provides for some adjustment, but in the event that a greater adjustment is to be made, bolts 81 are entirely removed from their openings 82 and placed in a second set of openings 82 formed in the table part 78.

, Chain 71 carries a plurality of lugs or fingers 93 (Figs. 1, 7 and 8) each provided with arms 94- extending from a side of one of the links of the chain 71 and beingpivoted on a pin 95 which forms one of the pivot members for two adjacent links of the chain 71. A wire spring 96 is looped over the pin 95 and is engaged by a pin 97, which forms a pivot for certain links of the chain 71, and over a pin 98 carried by one of the arms 94:. Spring 96 causes each lug 93 to normally move outwardly and away from the chain 71 and as a particular lug 93 moves on the inner run of the chain 71 it is brought into contact with the edge of the advancing sheet 25 at a point directly opposite the ganging member 63. I

The engaged lug 93, still moving forward with the sheet 25 and with the feed chains 26 acts underits spring 96 to force the sheet over into engagement with the member 63 and into the proper gauged position as previously described. The lug 93 being positioned directly opposite the gauge member 63 and moving at the same rate of travel as the sheet 25 insures a smooth and efiicient gauging operation. The properly gauged sheet is thus transferred over the surface of the table 11 and into the slitter rollers 17 and 18.

These rollers are provided with the usual feeding rubbers that in sure proper movement of 'the sheet through the slitting elements. The speed of rotation of the rollers 17 and 18 is in excess of the travel of the feed chains 26 and the sheet 25 carried thereby and as the sheet passes into the slitting elements, it is accelerated in its movement and is drawn away from the lugs 40 of the chains 26. By reason of the yielding mounting of the lug 93 provided by the spring 96 the sheet is permitted to move at this increased rate of traveland slide past the lug irrespective of whether the edge of the sheet is even or at an angle to its ed to operate upon sheets which may vary slightly in width and which may have edges which are notsquare. From a consideration of the mechanism it will be readily apparent that irrespective of these variations, each sheet is brought to an exact predetermined gauged position prior to and held in such position while entering into the slittng elements.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages Will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacriticing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim 2- 1. In a sheet metal slitting machine, the combination of slitting elements, a table for supporting the sheets, feeding devices for moving the sheets over said table and into said slitting elements comprising two rear and one side gauging means moving in unison with said feeding devices for squaring the sheets upon said table prior to their entrance into said slitting elements.

2. In a sheet metal slitting machine, the combination of slitting elements, a table for supporting the sheets, feeding devices for moving the sheets over said table and into said slitting elements, comprising two rear gauges, and gauging means operating at both sides of the sheets and moving in unison with said feeding devices for squaring the sheets upon said table prior to their entrance into said slitting elements.

3. In a sheet metal slitting machine, the combination of slitting elements, a table for supporting the sheets, feeding devices for moving the sheets over said table and into said slitting elements, comprising two rear gauges, and gauging means comprising a plurality of gauging members at the sides of the sheet moving in unison with said feeding devices for squaring the sheets upon said table prior to their entrance into said slitting elements.

4. In a sheet metal slitting machine, the combination of slitting elements, a table for supporting the sheets, feeding devices for moving the sheets over said table and into said slitting elements, comprising two rear gauges, and gauging means comprising a pair of sets of cooperating gauging members operating on opposite sides of the sheets and moving in unison with said feeding devices for squaring the sheets upon said table prior to their entrance into said slitting elements.

In a sheet metal slitting machine, the combination of slitting elements, a table for supporting the sheets, feeding devices for moving sheets over said table and into said. slitting elements, comprising two rear gauges, and gauging means for squaring the sheets as they are advanced over the table by said feeding devices, said means comprising endless chains and gauging members carried thereby, said members engaging opposite sides of the sheets and shifting them to trued. position for the slitting operation.

6. In a sheet metal slitting machine, the combination of slitting elements, a table for supporting the sheets, feeding devices for moving the sheets over said table and into said slitting elements, and gauging means for squaring the sheets as they are advanced over the table by said feeding devices, said means comprising an endless chain operating over said table adjacent one side thereof, and a second endless chain operating over said table adjacent the other side, gauging members carried by said chains, and means for adjusting the position of one of said chains relative to the other to accommodate various widths of sheets.

7. In a sheet metal slitting machine, the combination of slitting elements, a table for supporting the sheets, feeding devices for moving the sheets over said table and into said slitting elements, and gauging means for squaring the sheets as they are advanced over the table by said feeding devices, said means comprising endless chains and gauging members carried thereby, the members carried by one chain being fixed thereon and the members carried by the other chain being yieldingly mounted thereon.

S. The combination of slitting means, feeding means engaging the rear edge of a sheet to propel the same to the slitting means, a chain arranged along a side edge of the sheet and carrying a gauging device, fixed means for guiding said gauging device, a second chain arranged along the other edge of the sheet, pressing means carried by said second chain for forcing the sheet against said gauging device, and power means for advancing said feeding means and said chains.

JOHN M. HOTHERSALL. 

